Parents can be shown the results of their children's misbehaviour

The cameras are to be fitted to police vans - both at the front and on the roof - and will help officers locate troublemakers and criminals.

On Friday the vans were visiting Marlborough and Devizes, but police say they will soon used be deployed throughout the county.

Councillor Chris Humphries of Kennet Council said: "I believe they are going to carry out a better function than a static camera because troublemakers won't know where these cameras are.

"We hope they will therefore think twice before they do cause trouble."

Chief Supt Jerry Wickham said: "It can be used at any time.

"The benefit is that you've got a video recorder so that if you've got, for example, children misbehaving, you can show the video to their parents on a home recorder and have them take some control of their children."